If a Johnny Football ever comes home

Updated 7:34 am, Tuesday, October 9, 2012

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OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 06: Johnny Manziel #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies is tackled by LaKedrick King #28 of the Ole Miss Rebels during a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

College Station police arrested Texas A&M freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel, 19, early June 29, 2012, in the Northgate bar district on charges of fighting, failure to identify himself and carrying two fake licenses.

College Station police arrested Texas A&M freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel, 19, early June 29, 2012, in the Northgate bar district on charges of fighting, failure to identify himself and carrying two

OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 06: Johnny Manziel #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies stiff arms LaKedrick King #28 of the Ole Miss Rebels during a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 06: Johnny Manziel #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies stiff arms LaKedrick King #28 of the Ole Miss Rebels during a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Oxford, Mississippi.

OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 06: Johnny Manziel #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts to a call during a game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 06: Johnny Manziel #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts to a call during a game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles for the quarterback keeper during the first half of a college football game at Kyle Field, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in College Station. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles for the quarterback keeper during the first half of a college football game at Kyle Field, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in College Station. ( Karen Warren /

Texas A&M wide receiver Ryan Swope (25) celebrates his 80 yard pass for touchdown with quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) during the second half of a college football game at Kyle Field, Saturday, Sept. 29,

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) looks to pass during the first quarter of a college football game at Kyle Field, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in College Station. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) looks to pass during the first quarter of a college football game at Kyle Field, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in College Station. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles as gained more than 50 yards during the first quarter of a college football game at Kyle Field, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in College Station. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles as gained more than 50 yards during the first quarter of a college football game at Kyle Field, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in College Station. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles for the quarterback keeper during the first half of a college football game at Kyle Field, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in College Station. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles for the quarterback keeper during the first half of a college football game at Kyle Field, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in College Station. ( Karen Warren /

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) breaks away from the South Carolina State University defense for a touchdown during the second quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, in College Station. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle)

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) breaks away from the South Carolina State University defense for a touchdown during the second quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012,

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) looks around as he breaks away for a touchdown during the second quarter of a NCAA football game against South Carolina State University, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, in College Station. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle)

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) looks around as he breaks away for a touchdown during the second quarter of a NCAA football game against South Carolina State University, Saturday, Sept.

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws the ball to an open receiver in the South Carolina State University defense during the second quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, in College Station. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle)

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws the ball to an open receiver in the South Carolina State University defense during the second quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 22,

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) jumps into offensive linesman Luke Joeckel's (76) arms after scoring his second touchdown of the second quarter of a NCAA football game against South Carolina State University, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, in College Station. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle)

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) jumps into offensive linesman Luke Joeckel's (76) arms after scoring his second touchdown of the second quarter of a NCAA football game against South

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) looks for room to run during the first quarter Southern Methodist in an NCAA football game at Ford Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Dallas. ( Smiley N. Pool /

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) breaks free from Southern Methodist defensive tackle Aaron Davis (93) on a 48-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Ford Stadium,

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) breaks free from the Southern Methodist defense on a 48-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Ford Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 15,

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) gets past Southern Methodist defensive back Jeremy Gray (4) on a touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA football game at Ford Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 15,

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) fires a touchdown pass to wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu during the second quarter of an NCAA football game against Southern Methodist at Ford Stadium, Saturday,

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) is lifted by offensive linesman Luke Joeckel (76) in celebration of a touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA football game against Southern Methodist at Ford Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Dallas. Texas A&M won the game 48-3.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) (Houston Chronicle)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) is lifted by offensive linesman Luke Joeckel (76) in celebration of a touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA football game against Southern Methodist at

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) breaks free from the Southern Methodist defense on a 48-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Ford Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Dallas.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) breaks free from the Southern Methodist defense on a 48-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Ford Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 15,

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) fires a touchdown pass to wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu during the second quarter of an NCAA football game against Southern Methodist at Ford Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Dallas.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) fires a touchdown pass to wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu during the second quarter of an NCAA football game against Southern Methodist at Ford Stadium, Saturday,

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) breaks free from Southern Methodist defensive tackle Aaron Davis (93) on a 48-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Ford Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Dallas. less

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) breaks free from Southern Methodist defensive tackle Aaron Davis (93) on a 48-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Ford Stadium, ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

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Texas A&M wide receiver Nate Askew (9), quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) and defensive back Toney Hurd Jr., (4) sing the Aggie War Hymn following the Aggies 48-3 victory over Southern Methodist in an NCAA football game at Ford Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Dallas. less

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) is lifted by Nehemiah Hicks (81) after rushing for a touchdown against Florida during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M begins a new era with its first Southeastern Conference game after leaving the Big 12 Conference. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) is lifted by Nehemiah Hicks (81) after rushing for a touchdown against Florida during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012,

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass against Florida during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M begins a new era with its first Southeastern Conference game after leaving the Big 12 Conference. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass against Florida during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M begins a

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) rushes for a first down as Florida defensive back Josh Evans (9) hits him during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M begins a new era with its first Southeastern Conference game after leaving the Big 12 Conference. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) rushes for a first down as Florida defensive back Josh Evans (9) hits him during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass against Florida during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M begins a new era with its first Southeastern Conference game after leaving the Big 12 Conference. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass as Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison (12) defends during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M begins a new era with its first Southeastern Conference game after leaving the Big 12 Conference. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass as Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison (12) defends during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in College

Texas A&M University head coach Kevin Sumlin pats Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) after Manziel was called for an illegal forward pass during the first quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at Kyle Field in College Station.

University of Florida defensive lineman Dominique Easley (2) meets Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) at the line on a quarterback sneak during the second quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at Kyle Field in College Station.

University of Florida defensive lineman Dominique Easley (2) meets Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) at the line on a quarterback sneak during the second quarter of a NCAA football game,

Someone else had his job, and the police had him in custody. Johnny Manziel, as recently as June, looked like a guy on his way out of College Station.

The mug shot gave the look, too. Then, after being picked up for fighting and possessing a couple of fake IDs (because one is never enough), Manziel was pictured without a shirt.

So what if Manziel hadn't rallied last summer as he also did Saturday night against Ole Miss? What if the Texas A&M coaches had stuck with the starter they had named in the spring, and Manziel felt as if he had no choice but to transfer?

What if?

This is the path UTSA will explore for the next decade and beyond, because finding someone like Johnny Football is how the Roadrunners will take a huge step.

The Roadrunners are content with their current path, and Saturday will be part of that. Then, they take their 5-0 record on the road to play their first name opponent.

Rice has a history, if not much of a team, and the Owls will trot out a piece of their history Saturday. Then, they will honor someone who San Antonio knows.

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In today's world, Kramer likely wouldn't sign with Rice, and he wouldn't consider UTSA. Top-level recruits stay with top-tier football schools, and Manziel is an example.

About 20 schools offered the Kerrville Tivy star a scholarship, and the Roadrunners were among them. Their strategy was simple: Does it hurt to ask?

The mix also included Stanford and Baylor. Manziel chose Oregon initially because both he and the school knew he was made for the Ducks' offense.

Manziel later de-committed mostly because he wanted to play closer to home. So he chose the Aggies.

As of last spring, he was second-string with a chance to become third. A strong-armed kid, Jameill Showers, had been promoted after being Ryan Tannehill's primary backup in 2011.

Those privy to Manziel's thinking said he never considered transferring. The arrest didn't change the equation, either.

Reports began to surface during August workouts that coaches were becoming increasingly impressed with Manziel. Still, when asked last week if he had seen this kind of season coming from his redshirt freshman, Kevin Sumlin laughed.

“He wasn't even named the starter,” Sumlin said, “until two weeks before the season began.”

That's how delicate this can be for college quarterbacks. One is chosen, some wait, others transfer to try to play elsewhere.

Manziel's ascent has had the same effect. Last week, during a conference call, Sumlin was asked about his “logjam” of young quarterbacks.

Is one transferring? It is Showers' turn, now, to wonder.

It's common on every campus, and another San Antonio talent faced something similar. Nick Fanuzzi showed such promise at Churchill that Alabama wanted him. When he fell on the depth chart there, he moved to a new home — Rice.

The Roadrunners already have plugged into transfers, with a handful on their roster. Eric Soza, who has been solid as the only starting quarterback UTSA has known, began at Texas State.

But a transfer such as Manziel would be something else entirely. He's from the area, and he was recruited by national powers, and he's a one-man, scrambling, box-office sell.

Manziel is winning in the SEC, but imagine him on a consistent diet of Conference USA defenses. His numbers in three quarters against SMU: 418 total yards and six touchdowns.

So what if Manziel had wanted out of A&M, and he was still looking to play close to home? What if this generation's Kramer saw opportunity and freedom in San Antonio, with 60,000 ready to fill the Alamodome for someone special?